The How Bad is Your Gri Gri Photo Contest

How worn is your Gri Gri? Many of us keep using our Gri Gri’s even though they begin to show major wear and tear. The most common signs are a big rope groove, and wearing of the cam. So we’ve partnered with Petzl to help promote safety and get those old Gri Gri’s off the street. Send us photos of your worn Gri Gri’s, and the most worn will win a new Gri Gri, thanks to Petzl. The second and third place winners will get Reverso’s, ’cause let’s face it, you need to retire those things!

Petzl has a good video on their website detailing what to look for when inspecting your Gri Gri. A little bland, but you get the idea. Also, an excellent picture of the most horrendously worn Gri Gri I’ve ever seen.

To enter, simply send us jpeg images, no bigger than 400 pixels wide, to contest@splitterchoss.com. Or you can send us a link to the image posted elsewhere on the web, like Flickr, etc. Here’s what we need in those images:

1) A photo like the one below, showing the cam and the rope entrance and exit holes.

2) A photo looking at the GRIGRI’s sliding side plate (the opposite side from the handle, where ‘GRIGRI’ is stamped).

We’ll post the images below with commentary from Petzl’s Technical Information Manager, Rick Vance, to get his take on how bad these things actually are. The deadline for submission is December 1st, when our illustrious judges at Petzl will then let us know who the lucky winners are. Only one submission per person please. Employees of splitterchoss.com and sponsored athletes are void from participating.

Submission #1

Rick’s Take: This Grigri isn’t just worn out, it’s broken and needs to be retired.

It’s impossible to tell from the picture what exactly is wrong with the handle. Is it completely free spinning, or can it still disengage the cam when lowering a climber? There are mainly things that could be wrong, but here are just a couple of reasons why you wouldn’t want to use this Grigri.

The problem with a free spinning handle is that the belayer loses the fine control provided by the handle, and is likely to open the cam suddenly.

If the handle can still disengage the cam, the concern is that this handle can get caught on a loop of rope, your hand, a jacket, etc., and accidently open the cam.

Oh and there’s also a significant amount of wear to the attachment point, fixed side plate, and rope friction plate. FAIL!!!

Submission #2

From the submitter: My poor old reliable belay device “Bessie” is definitely in her final death throes.  In fact, I was not suprised to see that she fits practically all of Petzl’s criteria for a FAIL.  Most of the sheet metal edges have been sharpened to a “Ginsu-like” keenness.  The cam surface has only a few more uses til daylight peeks through from the other side.  The scariest thing about my old lovely Gri-gri is that she still works.  Just Barely.  Every time I belay or am belayed with this device feels like I am playing with house money.  Ropes slip steadily through the locked device without a strong lockoff.  Only seasoned veterans can negotiate ropes through the maze of her razor surfaces.  I wanted to retire her long ago, but my poorness and the theft of her replacement several years ago have kept her on the frontlines.  This contest is my last hope.  Please help me send my Bessie to greener pastures.  Please.

Rick’s Take: The submitter is right on when it comes to Bessie’s condition.  When the friction bearing surfaces are worn to this point, it’s time to let the old girl go. I know times like this can be tough, but it’s best to be strong and do the right thing for your climbing partner.

Submission #3 – Humor

Submission #4 – Humor

From the submitter: Seriously, my Gri Gri IS NOT SAFE. No one want’s me belaying them with this. And just look at the wicked callus, I’ve obviously put this device to the test.

Here’s why I should win.

1 – I was not irresponsible by letting my gear go beyond the point of safe use.
2 – It’s clear I can’t afford proper equipment.
3 – Calluses negatively affect my Hand Modeling career.
4 – If I don’t win this contest, I’m entering your “How Bad are Your Nuts” contest…did you just picture it?

Pick me.

Disclaimer: A complete inspection of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as a belay device cannot be performed without a thorough visual and functional inspection.  As such, a thorough inspection cannot be completed based on these images alone.  Opinions regarding the condition of this device are based solely on the images provide, and are offered as guidelines only.  If there is any doubt about the condition of your device, return it to Petzl for a complete inspection.